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Purchasing a car sight unseen

Discussion in 'British' started by pingi3, Aug 28, 2010.

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  1. pingi3

    pingi3 Formula 3
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    #1 pingi3, Aug 28, 2010
    I purchased a phantom today without even seeing it in person. Probably the hardest car I purchased due to limited supplies and most being located cross country.

    Has anybody here ever purchased a car the same way and been disappointed?
     
  2. Newport European

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    #2 Newport European, Aug 29, 2010
    It's nerve racking and even though you've seen all the close-up photos, there's always something the seller missed. I just purchased a 2002 BMW Z8 w/Alpina wheels to sell and lots of things were going thru my head like tweaked frame, scratches etc. Luckily the car came in just as described and I hope to have it sold within 3 weeks. Although, it will probably be the last time I buy sight unseen. I rather spend a couple of hundred bucks to fly out and inspect myself if nothing else, for peace of mind. Good Luck!
     
  3. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    #3 Simon^2, Aug 29, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2010
    Who'd you buy from...

    Auth RR dealer...
    Respected highend pre-owned dealer...
    XYZ Uzed Rydes and Bail Bonds...
    Private?

    Too many variables to answer. I have never bought a used car sight unseen.

    Would I... sure. Lets say a 98 point Austin Healey 3000 was in Oregan for 65K... not worth my time to go check it. get the records. get a PPI... and trust the pro.

    Risk / reward and cost of time. for me, any car over $200K I'm prob going to see...

    That said... Roy Cats honor his money back guarantee... so I might not go see a car of his, depending on car / PPI / schedule. Bravo Roy.
     
  4. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ

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    #4 GuyIncognito, Aug 29, 2010
    I bought a used 911 from an authorized Porsche dealer sight unseen. But, I had 50+ photos, CPO warranty, inspection by a local Fchatter, and a buy-back guarantee.

    would I do that from a private party? probably not. at least, not on a car worth that much money.

    agree, risk/reward.
     
  5. pingi3

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    #5 pingi3, Aug 31, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2010
    It turns out that a friend of mine now lives 3 streets down from the dealer. He said he would be glad to go check out the car for me. But I still will probably fly out there next week to see it before it gets loaded on the transport. They offered a money returned if I do not approve the car.

    And sorry guys, it is a high end used car dealer out in Costa Mesa.
     
  6. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    #6 technom3, Aug 31, 2010
    there is nothing wrong with buying a car from a high end used car dealer. no need to apologize. They get good cars and sometimes even better cars than mainline stores. More often than not you are going to have enthusiast who own them and know what to look for and are trying to build a business for themselves. Where as at a huge corporate store, you have managers who don't even really look at the cars or test drive them when they buy them, and then if there becomes THERE problem they have to cover crap up so they don't get blasted by upper management.
     
  7. Innovativethinker

    Innovativethinker F1 Veteran
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    #7 Innovativethinker, Aug 31, 2010
    I bought my 360 by remote, but with photos and a ppi. No problems.

    As well as the last 4 new cars I bought.

    I prefer to do most of my deals that way, as I know what I want and don't need stupid emotions, impulse, or pressure getting in the way of making a $30-$150k decision. The sales people don't like it, but that is the way I roll (they also don't like it when you to pay cash, and get quite confused about how to handle a cash deal.)
     
  8. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    #8 2NA, Aug 31, 2010
    Buying any car sight unseen across the country has HUGE risk. This is especially true with a car like a Rolls.
     
  9. Newport European

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    #9 Newport European, Aug 31, 2010
    By cash do you mean actual cash in hand or check, wire transfer etc.? You must be dealing with green-peas if they get confused. I've been in the business for over 16 years and I couldn't care less how the client is paying so long as he's paying. If I have to sit all day with the customer to count all the dollar bills, so be it. What do I care? I'm getting paid regardless.
     
  10. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    #10 Simon^2, Aug 31, 2010
    but would you take 9 credit cards with several different names? ;)

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=137576312#post137576312
     
  11. pingi3

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    #11 pingi3, Aug 31, 2010
    Don't dealers make extra from the lending bank if the get the buyer to finance?

    The dealer sounded like they did not mind I was paying cash.

    I just hope I won't have to send the car back and ask for my money back. The owner called today to reassure me that the car was owned by a local gent and was well taken care of and that he stands by their statement that they would refund my money if it wasn't.
     
  12. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    #12 Simon^2, Aug 31, 2010
    Please tell me you got a PPI...
     
  13. JM4re

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    #13 JM4re, Aug 31, 2010
    http://www.eurocaroc.com/web/1208/inventory?make_id=58


    Did you get the white one? Have had a fair share of experience with a Cornish White (not that color makes difference) '05 Phantom and they are incredibly reliable if well-maintained. Good # of Phantoms are daily-drivers.
     
  14. Innovativethinker

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    #14 Innovativethinker, Sep 1, 2010
    I gave up paying with bills more than $10k at a dealer a long time ago, I was referring to cashiers check or wire transfers. There seems to be only one person in a dealership that knows how to do it.
     
  15. pingi3

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    #15 pingi3, Sep 1, 2010
    Glad to hear they are reliable. I plan to drive her as my daily unless I'm working, then its back to the rover. I choose this over the Flying Spur, well looks too but basically it has a V12 BMW motor.

    I got a call from the owner today saying that they have decided to remove the vinyl top and said that if I wanted to I could change to the pearl white. He personally guaranteed that it was nicer than the cornish white. My sales guy told him I was on the bubble initially on the cornish white. Thought it might be a little too mature of a color for me. If the pictures are correct, the pearl white did look cleaner. The rear seat looked like no one sat in them. Supposedly it was a 70 year old couple who custom ordered it with the pearl white then added the vinyl top.

    I will wait to hear back from my friend after he takes it for a spin.

    Oh and I was told it already had a PPI completed which I will get my friend to look over.
     
  16. Newport European

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    #16 Newport European, Sep 1, 2010
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2010
    Yeah, ever since that law kicked-in some years ago, the IRS must be notified :shrug:

    Most of my sales are out of state so I have the company's wiring instructions saved on my desk top...it's amazing how simple it is :D
     
  17. pingi3

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    #17 pingi3, Sep 7, 2010
    On a flight to LAX as I type this. There were just to many variables for me to buy this sight unseen.
     
  18. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    #18 technom3, Sep 8, 2010
    you are doing the right thing. If you are that concerned it is great peace of mind.
     
  19. pingi3

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    #19 pingi3, Sep 8, 2010
    Yeah I was offered to switch my original selection to another identical one but was told this one was much more nicer. That brought up some flags so I said screw it and flew out. The guys that have stopped by on my behalf did say the guys were real pleasant. And for extra peace of mind, I scheduled an inspection out at Newport Beach Rolls Royce.

    stay tuned..... ;)
     
  20. JM4re

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    #20 JM4re, Sep 8, 2010
    Sounds cool, Pingi. Remember there are certainly harder tasks in life than having to fly out to SoCal in late summer to pick up your new (new to you) Phantom. ;)

    PICS!!!
     
  21. pingi3

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    #21 pingi3, Sep 8, 2010
    Man these guys were great. The owner, Tilo is a stand up guy. He straight up offered to replace or fix anything wrong with the car. No need cause Newport Beach Rolls said it was a pristine car.

    Oh and the car. The interior looked and smelled brand new. Could not have been any happier. I was told this is the only pearl white phantom prior to 2008. I did see the Corniche white I originally was going to purchase and wow, was I glad I was offered to swap. It was being loaded to its new owner so it worked out great for the dealer but the color was very off to my liking. It was more champagne.

    I will highly recommend these guys in the future.

    I will take pics tomorrow before it is loaded on the truck.

    Now off to Rodeo Dr to do some shopping for the Mrs ;)
     
  22. JM4re

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    #22 JM4re, Sep 15, 2010
    You ever take those pics, pingi? Would love to see the bespoke pearl white you speak of.
     

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